Herbert Victor Kirk PC (5 June 1912 – 4 March 2006) was an Ulster Unionist cabinet minister in Parliament of Northern Ireland.

Early life

Born in Belfast, Kirk studied at Queen's University, Belfast before becoming an accountant.

Career

Kirk became active in the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and in 1956 was elected to represent Belfast Windsor in the Parliament of Northern Ireland. In 1962, he became the Minister of Labour and National Insurance, also joining the Privy Council of Northern Ireland. In 1964, he moved to become Minister of Education, and the following year, Minister of Finance.

After the abolition of the Parliament, Kirk was elected in Belfast South to the Northern Ireland Assembly, 1973. He was a supporter of Brian Faulkner, and was re-appointed as Minister of Finance (de facto Deputy Prime Minister) until the assembly's suspension in May 1974, after which he quit politics.

Parliament of Northern Ireland
Preceded byArchibald WilsonMember of Parliament for Belfast Windsor 1956–1973Parliament abolished
Northern Ireland Assembly (1973)
New assemblyAssembly Member for South Belfast 1973–1974Assembly abolished
Political offices
Preceded byIvan NeillMinister of Labour and National Insurance 1962–64Succeeded byWilliam James Morgan
Preceded byIvan NeillMinister of Education 1964–65Succeeded byWilliam Fitzsimmons
Preceded byIvan NeillMinister of Finance 1965–72Position prorogued 1972 Parliament abolished 1973